Bye week gives the Packers a chance
to sort out their special-teams problems
[October 03, 2025]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
With the season nearly one-quarter of the way done, the Green Bay
Packers have reason to believe they possess a championship-caliber
offense and defense.
Special teams? That’s a different story.
Breakdowns in the area of the game the Packers call “we-fense” have
helped cost them victories each of the last two weeks. Those
special-teams issues help explain why the Packers (2-1-1) fell out
of the NFC North lead heading into their bye week.
“I think if we can just clean up those catastrophic errors — which,
you know, that’s a big ‘if’ — we’ll be in a lot better spot,”
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said this week.
Green Bay’s traditional struggles in special teams started well
before LaFleur’s arrival in 2019, but a couple of big plays the last
two weeks have made the issue more glaring.
The Packers led the Dallas Cowboys 13-0 on Sunday when Brandon
McManus’ extra-point attempt was blocked and returned to the
opposite end zone, turning a potential 14-0 lead into a 13-2 margin.
The game ended in a 40-all tie.
One week earlier, the Packers were tied with the Browns when McManus
had a 43-yard field goal blocked in the final minute, setting the
stage for Cleveland to win 13-10 on Andre Szmyt’s 55-yard kick as
time expired.
“Points are at a premium in this league,” McManus said after the
Cowboys game. “Every time I go on the field, I expect to make it. It
sucks it happened again.”
Green Bay’s special-teams issues were apparent even before those two
blocks. The Packers committed multiple penalties on special teams
against the Browns and in a 27-18 victory over the Washington
Commanders.
Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia noted that the nature of
special teams makes penalties more impactful.
“You get a penalty on offense, you’re going to get another down to
make up for it,” Bisaccia said before the Cowboys game. “You get a
penalty on defense, they’re going to move it a little bit but you’re
going to get another down. For us, you get a one-play mentality. You
get one shot at being good at what you’re asked to do so it becomes
a bigger penalty, usually, within the course of the game.”
The Packers also haven’t gotten big plays from their return units,
where they’ve been relying on youth with punt returner Jayden Reed
on injured reserve and two-time All-Pro kick returner Keisean Nixon
focusing more on defense as the team’s No. 1 cornerback.
Rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden has returned a team-high six
punts this season for an average of just 4.7 yards. Rookie
third-round selection Savion Williams has averaged 24.4 yards on his
seven kickoff returns.
[to top of second column] |
Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas (2) blocks a extra point
attempt by Green Bay Packers place kicker Brandon McManus, right, in
the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in
Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Golden said he had never returned punts at any
level before this season, though he’s confident in his ability to
handle the assignment.
“I feel good back there just because if I can get the ball in my
hands, I know I can make something happen,” Golden said last week.
“It’s all about making smart decisions.”
LaFleur said he feels good about the potential both rookies have as
returners. He noted how well they have done in practice.
“I get it, a game’s a little bit different than practice,” LaFleur
said. “Especially when you’re catching kicks because in practice
nobody’s going to blow you up and then in the game. … We’ve got a
lot of confidence in both those guys and belief that they’re going
to continue to get better and better.”
Green Bay’s special-teams concerns are particularly notable because
they’ve looked like a Super Bowl contender in just about every other
facet.
The offense was bad at Cleveland but otherwise has been exceptional.
Green Bay’s defense had a major letdown against Dallas, but it
didn’t allow a touchdown before the fourth quarter in its three
other games.
But the offense has been playing without Reed, wide receiver
Christian Watson, guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Tom due to
injuries. The defense has lost tackle Devonte Wyatt, who is week to
week after hurting his knee at Dallas.
That reduces the margin for error on special teams.
Green Bay does have a major weapon in Daniel Whelan, who ranks third
in the league in punting average. And McManus showed his reliability
Sunday by kicking a 53-yard field goal at the end of regulation and
a tying 34-yarder on the game’s final play.
Now it's a matter of providing better protection on McManus’ kicks.
LaFleur believes the Packers may have found a way to fix things
after that extra-point block.
“I’m confident that we shuffled around some personnel,” LaFleur
said, “and it looks a lot cleaner right now.”
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
